Jaguars could go local

It appears Florida safety Nelson will be there for the team to take Saturday with the No. 17 choice.

By Vito Stellino,The Times-Union,

All things being equal, the Jaguars wouldn't mind drafting a popular University of Florida football player.

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"I don't think that's unique to the Jaguars," college scouting director Gene Smith said at the team's annual pre-draft news conference Tuesday. According to Smith, NFL teams like to take players out of their own backyard.

The Jaguars might have that opportunity Saturday if Florida safety Reggie Nelson is still on the board when they make the 17th pick in the first round.

Nelson would fit a need because the Jaguars lost Deon Grant to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency and would be a popular pick among Gators fans who also root for the Jaguars.

"We have [paid] a lot of attention to him [Nelson] because he's right down the road here," Smith said. "I don't think there are any questions he has playmaking ability."

Although selecting Nelson might not directly sell tickets, he likely would energize the fan base because the Jaguars haven't made any dramatic moves in the offseason. That could help because the Jaguars still have 6,500 non-premium and 1,500 club seats left to sell and lost three glamour teams - the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots - from last season's home schedule.

The Jaguars also could use a defensive end because Reggie Hayward is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and won't be able to perform in mini-camp in two weeks. Also, Bobby McCray is skipping the offseason program because he wants a new contract.

Arkansas' Jamaal Anderson, who's rated the second-best defensive end in the draft behind Gaines Adams, is a possibility, but he also might be gone by the time the Jaguars pick. But Nelson, the second-best safety behind LSU's LaRon Landry, could be available at No. 17.

Another Florida player seen as a first-rounder, defensive end Jarvis Moss, likely will be there but might be a reach at No. 17.

The only time the Jaguars took a Florida player in the first round was in 1998, when they selected running back Fred Taylor.

Tuesday, the Jaguars spoke generally about prospects and declined to reveal any draft strategy. James "Shack" Harris, the team's vice president of player personnel, came up with an old bromide and said the Jaguars will select the "best available player" in the first round.

Harris also wouldn't rule out choosing another wide receiver in the first round. The Jaguars took quarterback Byron Leftwich with their first pick in 2003, and then picked pass catchers - wide receivers Reggie Williams and Matt Jones and tight end Marcedes Lewis - the next three years.

Those four first-rounders have yet to pay big dividends. Leftwich, who has been named the Jaguars' 2007 starter, has missed 15 of the past 21 regular-season games because of injuries. Williams and Jones caught 52 and 46 passes, respectively, last season, and Lewis suffered a high ankle sprain in the first preseason game and wound up with only 13 receptions.

Still, Harris has hopes for the four players.

"Our four first-rounders are still on the roster, and we feel they have an ability to make a contribution," Harris said.

The Jaguars will receive the first look at their rookie crop on the field during a May 12-14 mini-camp.

They'll have the first three of their 14 organized team activities May 8-10, but rookies can't attend until their college class graduates.

The Jaguars have nine picks in this year's draft - their original seven, plus two compensatory selections.